The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-27

badge wearers at the camp at Washington
Park The gray-haired warriors and sturdy
farmers filed from the depots with grips in hand
and blankets thrown over their shoulders ask
ing only for a tent. while the women and chill
dren todded behind prepared for anything.
Inc gloom of the day was dispelled by the
shrek of the fife and beat of the drum. while
lively airs from many bands indicated the
spirit that was wrapped up IN blouse and
The Pacific slope had scarcely settled down be-
fore the nearer West poured in with Colorado
Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas Iowa and
Missouri contngents reported many men,
and announced the coming of thou
sands more Several hundred have reported
from Pennsylvania Early in the morning Ken
to his headquarters. and then moved out 20 the
tented fields. Ohio, Indiana and Illinois quickly
passed through the Streets seeking shelter and
greeting friends and comrades In the tents.
groups OF men assembled. protected from the
rain. with heads together. reviewing the past
and drifting into the "reminiscences of the late
terrible struggle. The jovial shout betokens a
reminder of some camp frolic, and many stories
follow. Camp life surely brings the old times
back. and such days al this are in light contrast
to he mud and cruel weather of the Shenandoah
valley. With solid streets to march upon. the
mud scarcely thick enough to splash. the warm
air damp and gloomy enough to remind one of
less pleasant experiences, but not so deep or
heavy mar or hinder the pleasure Of the
gathering.
By noon the railroads had brought in ten thou
sand citizen soldiers. and many more of their
seemed confusion. but order quickly assumed
command and the search for old regiments and
old friends began at once. Many brother or
friend awaited at the train camp the coming
of one whom he had not seen since the grand
review at Washington. The regiments had de-
parted to be scattered, and so we'll had the work
been done that in a radius of three thousand
miles their homes are found. To facilitate the
search the Kansas camp have arranged their
tents in groups and marked them for different
States, that the member of Kansas g. A. r.
post might rest in his reeimental tent All
commanders and honored guests move through
the throng, and in the rush escape committees
and quietly seek rest in hotel rooms or private
houses
An immense crowd waited patiently for
two hours in the Union Depot. Tonight for the
special train carrying Gen. Lucus Fairchl!d, the
commanderin chief of the Grand Army, and
members of the national staff When at length
the train made its appearance and the General
ued, and it was with difficulty that the reception
committee made path through the vast con-
course OF people to the carriages in waiting.
There was another big crowd at the national
headquarters, at the Southern, and here again
General Fairchild received an ovation
Not less hearty was the greeting accorded at
the Lindell to Governor Ogiesbv, and the de-
partment officers of Illinois, who came in on the
first section Of the official train, with twelve
other sections in their rear
The Pennsylvanians. headed by Post-Com-
mander- i'll chief Louis Wagner, OF Philadelphia,
reached here after 10 o'clock. several hours be-
hind schedule time. They were pretty tired
sheets
The Minnesota delegation, four hundred
strong, were among the last of the arrivals up to
midnight.
The pension committee OF the encampment
at meeting this evening decided to report to
the bodv resolution strongly indorsing the de-
pendent pension bill, which vetoed by the
President Rain is still falling at late hour,
ard the streets are in q deplorable condition,
but fair weather and cold is promised by the
Weather Bureau for tomorrow.
a
tering of large numbers of old veterans in tents.
Tried at each encampment before In small num-
hers, the plan gave srch satisfaction and pleas
are that it was decided thus to house vast num-
bers, and the executive committees arranged to
care for greater concourse OF people in the
field than has before been attempted
in any land except in times OF war. Perhaps no
canvass city of such proportions has ever been
built in short time. Within two months
$500 tents, with ample room for %. 900 soldiers.
more than there is in the entire United States
army, have been put together, and
pitched in ten beautiful parks of the city. ell
within q radius Of two miles. The headquarters
are convenient to dining halls. A
bale of straw makes a mattress for each tent;
sack or grips Five hundred of these tents
ptched in Lyon Park. 300 in Concordia Park,
in Hyde Park 5O0 Washington Park $50, Carr
Park i5c,' Forest Park $50 around
the Courthouse and other public
places 100. In the heart of the city for several
ueS0rleO
were more like the city of the dead. but tonight
an army of jovial and tried spirits crowd the
way The doubt whether the boys would take
to the tents has been dispelled, for On a
mizzling and rainy day more applications for
such shelter have been made than tents ere
ready for; but the neighborhood hotels and
boarding houses offer relief for the surplus. In
many cases the veterans will stop in the camp
and house his family near by.
a peep into the tents this evening reveals
touching scenes. The warrior citizen only
of pi
cences. Ever and anon surging crowds upon
the street pause to hear the buele
ing out name. company. regiment
and State. Sometimes a call is made for a
comrade not seen for years. Too often there is
no response, but then again answer. Silence
as they meet, and then jubilee. These camps
are full of pathetic meetings after years of sep
tion, and it is that that draws many thou
sands OF the boys in blue .ogether The great
camp is success, and will become part
of the G.. A. r. encampment of
the future. Frank P. Blair Post besides
the usual reception to visitors. to-day marched
to tie residence of the widow of Gen. F. P
Blair, at noon, and presented her with medal
recently adopted by the post bearing as
turn Mrs. Blair presented to the post the flag of
the Seventeenth Army corps, commanded by
General Blair during the latter part of the war.
This evening the visitors were entertained by
receptions at the various post headquarters.
The halls, beautifully decorated, have been
thrown open ali day. and many comrades have
accepted their hospitality. U. >. Grant Post, or
Elizabeth, N j., presented Ransom Post with
handsome oil painting OF General Ransom.
Blair Post greeted by number of
speeches, and particularly aroused
by Corporal Tanner, who touched
the flag issue. the President
and its possible insult to the Grand Army.
Lyon. Hassendeu BILE and Harding posts also
kept open house to all visitors. Owing the
inclemency of the weather. the committee doubt
the expediency of parade to- morrow, and this
evening it was agreed that in of light
rain drizzle. the parade should take
place on the programme, but in case it was
impossible to form the ranks were broken by
o heavy rain. the parade would be postponed
until Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. In the
event of a postponement the annual encamp
ment session proper will not begin until $3.50
Wednesday afternoon.
Cheap Meat for the Eastern Cities.
New YORK, Sept 26-An evening paper says
the big meat retailing company which the Mar